Appalled by bombings in Somalia

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council late Thursday declared that they were "appalled" by the terrorist attacks earlier this week in front of the Jazeera Hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu, and vowed to help end Al-Shabab threat. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the two bombs that exploded in front of the hotel, killing and injuring dozens of people. Ban paid tribute to the Somali security forces, which reacted quickly to restore order and incurred several casualties in the explosions, and to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) which supported them, his press office said in a statement. "The Secretary-General is determined to support the Somali Government in preventing such attacks and holding the perpetrators accountable. These acts of terrorism against the Government and people of Somalia will not detract from the significant progress made in Somalia," the statement added. In this New Year, it noted, the Secretary-General "strongly affirms his undeterred resolve to support the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali people in strengthening state institutions and furthering peace and security." The Security Council President, Jordan, also said in a statement to the press that the Council was equally "appalled" by the terrorist attacks in Mogadishu. Extending its condolences to the victims and their families, as well as to the Somali people and Government, the Council also paid tribute to the efforts of the Somali Security Forces and AMISOM in responding to the attack. The Council underlined its resolve to continue to support efforts to bring greater peace and stability to Somalia and that this, and other "deplorable acts of terrorism, would not weaken" its resolve to support the Somali people. The Council recalled its recent decision to increase significantly the UN's support to AMISOM and the Somali National Security Forces in order to redouble international efforts towards removing the threat posed by Al-Shabaab. It reiterated in this regard its "strong resolve" to continue to support these efforts in order to reduce the threat posed by Al-Shabaab to both Somalis and the region. The Council expressed its determination to combat all forms of terrorism, and reaffirmed that the scourge, in all its forms and manifestations, constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and is criminal and unjustifiable regardless of the motivation, wherever and whenever and by whomsoever committed. The Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these "reprehensible" acts of terrorism to justice, and urged all States to cooperate actively with the Somali authorities in this regard.